Texas Ranger Forensic Artists

A full-time Forensic Artist position has been a staple of the Texas Department of
Public Safety (TXDPS) since the late 1980s. In 2000, the position of the TXDPS
Forensic Artist was transferred to the Texas Rangers Division. Due to the
consistent and heavy caseload of high-profile, felonious investigations, large
jurisdiction, and increasing number of “cold case” investigative
possibilities being re-visited, the office of the Texas Ranger Forensic Artist
was later expanded to employ two full-time artists. Being that the Texas Rangers
are a Division on which other investigative entities across the state rely for
support, the Texas Ranger Forensic Artists often operate within a multi-agency
network to support complex investigations. They assist city, county, state,
federal, and military law enforcement agencies across the state, often traveling
within the course of their duties.

The Forensic Artists assist investigators by developing a variety of
evidential artwork for criminal investigations, to include the following:

Composite drawings of persons-of-interest or suspects, developed by interviewing victims of or witnesses to crimes

The Forensic Artists may continue to support these investigations through adjudication by offering testimony and Expert Witness
status to prosecutorial cases. Further, their responsibilities include education to students, medico-legal, and Law Enforcement personnel
regarding the procedures and possibilities of Forensic Art as a tool in an investigation.

In addition to other responsibilities, the Forensic Artists work in tandem with the TXDPS Missing Persons Clearinghouse, and the
Unidentified Persons and DNA Unit. To view open cases involving the work of both of these Divisions, please go to the following link:
http://www.dps.texas.gov/mpch/

(Note: Not all the forensic art images featured on the website are
products of the Texas Ranger Forensic Artists.)